Match Report versus Wokingham & Emmbrook (19/3/22)

By Steve Williams

Tadley Calleva 2 Wokingham & Emmbrook 0

Another victory, another clean sheet. With 22 points out of 27 in the last nine games, Tadley Calleva rise to 11th place in the league table. It took two goals from Ben Wright to secure the latest win. A gusting wind made for a scrappy game with both sides struggling to find a rhythm. Tadley were enjoying the better of the first half with the home defence comfortable and, with the wind blowing down the pitch from the clubhouse end, keeper Craig Atkinson was alert to any attempted through balls. Visiting keeper Sean Woodward thwarted Brett Denham and fellow striker Wright in quick succession after 15 minutes. And, on the half hour, Woodward brilliantly denied a close range shot from Brad Neal with Kalum Cousins hitting the follow up onto the bar from a tight angle. But on 36 minutes, Wright picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, turned quickly and sent a powerful screamer past the despairing dive of Woodward. Just before half time, a typical raking pass from Aaron Parfitt released Denham on the left who made ground quickly only to see his finish deflected just around the post from Woodward's outstretched foot. From Parfitt's resulting in-swinging corner, Woodward spilled the ball on the line for a grateful Wright to finish from a yard out. (HT 2-0)

In the second half, the blustery conditions continued to affect the game.The visitors, kicking into the wind, showed more spirit and accuracy with a stronger performance coming from some lively substitutions. The Tadley defence was extended, but held firm helped by keeper Atkinson bravely intercepting a dangerous through pass just outside his box like a seasoned centre back. As the visitor's threat increased late on, Atkinson blocked a close range shot in added on time with his foot and Andrew Charsley was on hand to clear the follow up off the line. The visiting fans expressed frustration at their team's apparent regular inability to score. Chances for Tadley during the second half were a bit more limited. Wright headed a cross just over the bar, Jack French rounded the keeper but from a very tight angle could only find the side netting and Denham, breaking on the left, was denied by keeper Woodward when his option for crossing to Cousins was cut off. (FT 2-0)

Overall, a deserved and hard earned victory in very difficult conditions and the absence of the unavailable and in-form Callum Cleary. Among the three second half substitutions. Jordan Goater made a brief but welcome appearance after a long lay-off with injury. Tadley's next match is away to Ascot United on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Tadley Calleva: Craig Atkinson, Aiden Harris, Tom Walsh (C), Brad Neal, Andrew Charsley, Aaron Parfitt (sub 65' Scott Kinge), Jack French, Ousman Darboe (sub 55' Lucas Burt), Brett Denham (sub 80' Jordan Goater), Ben Wright, Kalum Cousins,.

Unused Subs: Kieran Maylen, Marc Vockins.